A 3-year-old girl, who family said was “bright and energetic,” died Friday afternoon in what police said appeared to be an accidental death involving a garage door.

About 4 p.m. April 5, Charles County sheriff’s officers responded to the 2900 block of Eutaw Forest Drive in Waldorf after someone called about an injured child. A preliminary investigation showed that Leilah Dawn Coady was in the garage portion of her house when she apparently pushed a garage door button on the wall that was within her reach. The girl ran under the door as it was closing and became pinned underneath as the door went down.

She was discovered by her mother a short time later, police said.

Emergency personnel transported the girl to Civista Medical Center in La Plata, where she was pronounced dead. Investigators from the criminal investigations division and the sheriff’s office forensics unit processed the scene for evidence. The garage door did have sensors on either side, and detectives are working to determine whether the door was functioning properly, police said.

Leilah’s grandfather, Bill Coady, provided a statement on behalf of the family.

“Leilah Dawn Coady was an adventurous and vibrant 3-year-old loved by family and many friends. She was a bright and energetic child who loved her animals, puzzles, reading and dancing. Her parents were blessed to have her for three beautiful years and want to thank the community for their outreach and support. She will be missed by all.”

Sheriff’s office spokeswoman Diane Richardson said the incident appears to have been “a freak accident.”